This year we tried something different, hosting the 2025 SAH Annual Awards Banquet at the historic Durant-Dort Factory One in Flint, Michigan, considered the birthplace of General Motors. The weekend of activities included a special tour of the Sloan Museum Automotive and History Collection led by Curator of Collections Malcolm Cottle, a visit to the Durant-Dort Carriage Company building, a tour of the Kettering Archives guided by interim Director of Library Services Dawn Winans, and the Golden Memories Car Show.
The main event—the presentation of awards—was held on Saturday, September 20, in Factory One. After a buffet dinner, Chris Lezotte oversaw presentation of 10 awards (listed below). Several recipients were there to receive their honors in person, including the two student winners, Jake Glasser and Nathan Drouin, who impressed everyone with their enthusiasm and engagement in the field of automotive history. Matt Short, who received the Friend of Automotive History award, was unable to attend but sent a statement read on his behalf thanking the society for the honor.
Afterward, attendees enjoyed a presentation by Jim Secreto, who shared remarkable examples of Detroit automotive advertising art from his personal collection along with stories about the artists and their remarkable creativity within tight corporate requirements.
Factory One provided a great stage on which to honor this year’s SAH Award Recipients, listed below. Photographs of the event were provided by John Galloway and Mary Elton.
CARL BENZ AWARD
presented to
Patrick Foster
for
“1974-1983 Jeep Cherokee:
The Start of Something Big”
published in
Collectible Automobile
Outstanding periodical article of 2024
RIGHT: Chris Lezotte presided as master of ceremonies, here presenting the Carl Benz Award to Patrick Foster.
JAMES J. BRADLEY
DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD
presented to
America’s Packard Museum
for outstanding contributions to the preservation of historic materials related to motor vehicles
RICHARD and GRACE BRIGHAM
AWARD of DISTINCTION
presented to
The Nash Car Club of America
for
The Nash Times
David Nastal, editor
Excellence in treatment of historical topics in an automotive periodical during 2024
NICOLAS-JOSEPH CUGNOT AWARD
presented to
Andrew Denning
for
Automotive Empire: How Cars and Roads Fueled European Colonialism in Africa
Publisher: Cornell University Press
Outstanding book of 2024 in the English language
RIGHT: SAH President Kevin Kirbitz welcomed guests to Factory One in Flint, Michigan.
NICOLAS-JOSEPH CUGNOT AWARD – LOE
presented to
Donatella Biffignandi and Alessandro Silva
for
Diatto
Publisher: AISA
Outstanding book of 2024 in a language other than English
NICOLAS-JOSEPH CUGNOT AWARD – LOE
AWARD of DISTINCTION
presented to
Christian Suhr
for
Krupp Des Ostens:
Das Fahrzeugwerk Hunger aus Frankenberg
Publisher: Verlag Kraftakt
A book of particular merit in a language other than English—2024
FRIEND OF AUTOMOTIVE HISTORY AWARD
presented to
Matthew Short
In recognition of outstanding contributions to the field of automotive history
RIGHT: Matthew Short received the Friend of Automotive History award for outstanding contributions to the field of automotive history, presented by Mary Seelhorst.
E.P. INGERSOLL AWARD
presented to
Elizabeth Blackstock
Podcast Creator
for
“Deadly Passions, Terrible Joys”
A Motorsport History Podcast
Excellence in presentation of automotive history in other than print media—2024
RICHARD P. SCHARCHBURG
STUDENT PAPER AWARD
presented to
Nathan Drouin
for
“Technicals: How Toyotas End Up in Wars and How They Win Them”
RIGHT: Nathan Drouin, right, and Jake Glasser, left, along with their guests were present to receive The Richard P. Scharchburg Student Paper Award (Nathan) and Award of Distinction (Jake).
RICHARD P. SCHARCHBURG STUDENT PAPER
AWARD of DISTINCTION
presented to
Jake Glasser
for
“What’s Happening to GM is What’s Happening to America: The U.S. Auto Industry and its Impact on American Law ”
RIGHT: After the awards presentation, attendees were treated to a presentation by Jim Secreto on Detroit automotive advertising art featuring items from his collection.
